2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health

In 2013, 9.4 percent of Americans ages 12 and older said they used illicit drugs, according to the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health report. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) compiled the report, which found that almost 20 million said they used marijuana, according to HealthDay.

The report was released in conjunction with the 25th annual observance of National Recovery Month, according to a SAMHSA news release.

The findings showed that in the last month:

• 4.5 million had taken prescription painkillers for non-medical reasons.
• 1.5 million used cocaine
• 595,000 used methamphetamine
• 289,000 used heroin

Out of the 23 million Americans who were in need of treatment for drug or alcohol use, only 2.5 million received treatment, according to the report.

The findings showed that almost 44 million American adults had a mental illness last year, with 10 million having had a serious mental illness. Sadly, about 14 percent said they received any kind of treatment or counseling for their mental illness.

“This Administration’s approach to drug policy is rooted in the knowledge that substance use disorders are diseases that can be prevented, treated, and from which people can recover,” said Michael Botticelli, Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy. “The recovery movement has come a long way in 25 years, and people in recovery deserve an official voice at all levels of government. We must continue to use that voice to share our triumphs and our challenges, and show the world that millions of us are leading happy, healthy, productive lives in long-term recovery. Each recovery story we tell chips away at the misconceptions that keep someone struggling with an addictive disorder from asking for help.”